Kairouan, El Jem & Monastir: Private Tour with UNESCO Sites

Three UNESCO sites and a Roman amphitheatre larger than Rome's, all in one day

A private or small-group tour from Monastir visiting Kairouan, El Jem and Monastir city, with a live guide and hotel or airport pickup included. The itinerary covers the Great Mosque of Kairouan, the Aghlabid Basins, the El Jem Amphitheatre (which held up to 35,000 spectators), the El Jem Archaeological Museum, the Ribat of Monastir, and the Mausoleum of Habib Bourguiba, with free time for exploration and photos at each stop. Air-conditioned transport with onboard WiFi and bottled water are included. Entrance fees to monuments and museums are separate.

Step-by-step itinerary

Explore Kairouan, El Jem, and Monastir

• Visit Great Mosque of Kairouan
• Explore Aghlabid Basins
• Wander through Kairouan Medina
• Discover Mausoleum of Sidi Sahbi
• Explore El Jem Amphitheatre
• Visit El Jem Archaeological Museum
• Walk through Ribat of Monastir
• Visit Mausoleum of Habib Bourguiba
• Enjoy free time at Monastir Marina

The experience

Kairouan opens the day as Tunisia's holiest city and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. You'll walk through the Great Mosque of Kairouan, one of the oldest and most impressive mosques in the Islamic world, then move through the Medina with its artisan shops and spice markets. The Aghlabid Basins, 9th-century water reservoirs, show what ancient engineering looked like, and the Mausoleum of Sidi Sahbi (the Barber's Mosque) stands as a masterpiece of tilework and architecture. The guide speaks English, French or Arabic, and there's time to photograph and explore without rushing.

El Jem shifts the focus to Roman history. The El Jem Amphitheatre is one of the world's largest and best-preserved, capable of holding up to 35,000 spectators: larger than Rome's Colosseum. You'll walk through it, learn about ancient gladiators and Roman entertainment, then visit the El Jem Archaeological Museum to see the mosaics and artifacts. The scale of the amphitheatre and the condition it's in make this stop the centerpiece of the afternoon.

Monastir closes the tour on the coast. The Ribat is an 8th-century fortress overlooking the sea, and the Mausoleum of Habib Bourguiba, Tunisia's first president, has elegant domes and grand architecture. Free time along the Marina and Corniche lets you sit with mint tea and sea views or browse for local crafts. The tour runs 7 to 9 hours total, with hotel or airport pickup and drop-off included, so the day is arranged from start to finish.

What’s included

• Air-conditioned transport with onboard WiFi.
• bottled water.
• parking fees.
• hotel or airport pickup and drop-off.
• a live guide in English, French or Arabic.
• free time for exploration and photos at each stop.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 09:00

Book up to1h before

AgesAdult (18 and older) · Child (under 18)

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish, French and Arabic

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated 17 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortWheelchair accessibleStroller-friendlyInfant seats availablePets welcome

Operated by Kings Service Tours

Is this one for you?Hotel or airport pickup is included, so you don't need a car or arrange transport between Kairouan, El Jem and Monastir: the guide and vehicle handle the full route and timing.

Traveler reviews

4.94★★★★★★★★★★

16 verified traveler reviews

Read all the reviews ›

Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English, French and Arabic.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (under 18).

What is the Great Mosque of Kairouan like, and can I photograph inside?

The Great Mosque of Kairouan is one of the oldest and most impressive mosques in the Islamic world, with centuries of Islamic architecture and detail. Photography policies vary by site. Your guide will advise what is permitted at each stop and help you make the most of the time allowed.

How much time do I get at each location?

The tour is built around flexible pacing with no rushed schedules, so you have plenty of time for exploration and photos at each stop. The full day runs 7 to 9 hours, giving you a real sense of each site rather than a quick pass-through.

Is hotel pickup included, and what if I'm staying outside Monastir?

Hotel or airport pickup and drop-off are included in the tour price. Let the operator know where you're staying when you book, and they'll arrange the pickup from that location.

Do I need to buy entrance tickets separately?

Yes, entrance fees to the monuments and museums (including the Great Mosque, the El Jem Amphitheatre, and the El Jem Archaeological Museum) are not included in the tour price and are paid separately at each site.

Can I do this tour if I don't have a car?

Yes. Hotel or airport pickup is included, so you don't need to arrange your own transport. The guide and air-conditioned vehicle handle the driving between all three cities.